The Ageas Bowl in Southampton finally saw some cricket on Saturday when the dicey England weather showed some mercy, and Day 2 of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand led to some action, albeit not the complete 90-over day.

Nonetheless, Team India captain Virat Kohli had to the pitch to bat sooner than he had hoped for after the top-order of Rohit Sharma, Shuman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara got wrapped up at 88.

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To make matters worse for the skipper, the on-field umpires Michael Gough and Richard Illingworth, ended up creating a total mess when in the 40th over of the innings, Trent Boult appealed for a caught-behind and the officials decided to go to the third umpire to get a clearer conclusion. 

Since it was the umpires’ wish to go upstairs, while New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson had not even taken a DRS review, the only thing they should have checked for was if catch taken by wicketkeeper BJ Watling was clean or not.

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However, they went a step further and even brought out the UltraEdge to check if Kohli’s bat had nudged the ball before it went into the hands of the keeper. 

Luckily for the Indian skipper, the space between his willow and the ball was big enough to make a conclusive decision but still, the umpires essentially gifted a free DRS to the Black Caps.

Law 2.2 of the ICC Test Playing Conditions deals with Caught Decisions and Obstructing the Field states:

“The third umpire shall determine whether the batsman has been caught, whether the delivery was a Bump Ball, or if the batsman obstructed the field. However, in reviewing the television replay(s), the third umpire shall first check the fairness of the delivery for all decisions involving a catch (all modes of No ball except for (i) in respect of the front foot, which shall already have been checked in accordance with clause 21.5; and (ii) the bowler using an Illegal Bowling Action, subject to the proviso that the third umpire may review whether the bowler has used a prohibited Specific Variation under Article 6.2 of the Illegal Bowling Regulations) and whether the batsman has hit the ball.

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The incident left the batsman agitated and angry which was clearly visible in his eyes but given the stature of the match he was playing in and the unique circumstances he found himself in, he smiled helplessly in the end.

Kohli’s anger was shared by former Indian opener Virender Sehwag and a majority of the Team India fans who couldn’t believe how the officials couldn’t see the possible loophole and rather stepped right into it.

Good on Simon Doull to clarify the incident on air, but it exposes a loophole in the system as it stands. Umpire reviews in cases like these must only be for fair catches. Otherwise it will always leave one team feeling aggrieved. https://t.co/whFkqPIJF3

— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) June 19, 2021

#WTC2021#INDvsNZ

*Kane discussing whether to take review or not with his teammates*

*Le umpire pic.twitter.com/JgF6wDuDsn

— Rahbar (@sarcasticEngi) June 19, 2021

So umpire just lost a review? Haha

— //ded reach era (@nachosinthewood) June 19, 2021

Funny umpiring there with Virat.
No decision given by the umpire and it automatically became a review.
Tuning in to the Women’s test match for the time being , hoping for Harman and Punam to save the Test match.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 19, 2021

If it was umpire's review then why did they check with ultra-edge? Bizarre!

— Rohit Yadav (@cricrohit) June 19, 2021

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